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Matt Bartkowski's first goal in a Calgary uniform was a big one as it sent the game into overtime.

Bartkowski's goal tied the game with St. Louis at 2. The Flames eventually won it in overtime on Sean Monahan's goal but the move to ink Bartkowski to a two-way deal in mid-February paid dividends on Saturday. Bartkowski has little fantasy value but he had some on Saturday. He has only a goal and two points in 17 games this season. Mar 26 - 7:11 AM

Matt Bartkowski recorded his first point with the Flames during Sunday's 5-2 win over the Islanders.

It only took eight games, but he's finally in the books with a helper. A few more of those and he'll be a staple at the bottom of the rotation. Mar 5 - 7:31 PM

Matt Bartkowski isn't sure if his Flames debut will come on Saturday night against Vancouver.

Coach Glen Gulutzan said he hasn't made a decision yet. "We wanted to make sure he got through a good practice here," said the Calgary bench boss after Friday's session. "(Thursday) we gave him our five-on-five plan. But like I said, Bart's familiar with a lot of what we do ... we'll make a decision (Saturday). It'll either be (Bartowski) or Joki (Jyrki Jokipakka)." Feb 18 - 10:20 AM

Depth Charts

Regis Labeaume, mayor of Quebec City doesn't think the Flames will be moving out of Calgary.

"It's a negotiating strategy. We're used to it," Labeaume said Thursday. "Everyone is calm, the Flames will not come to Quebec." This comes after Brian Burke, President of Hockey Operations for the Flames threatened to move the team if tax money wasn't allocated to a new arena project in Calgary. The Scotiabank Saddledome has been the home for the Flames since 1983 and next season it will be the oldest arena in the NHL. Despite the threats, we don't see the Flames leaving Calgary any time soon.

Bennett completed his entry-level contract at the end of the 2016-17 campaign. He has generated 63 points through the first 159 games of his NHL career. Bennett notched 13 goals and 13 assists in 81 matches last season. The fourth overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft has plenty of potential, but could receive a "bridge" contract to prove himself first. The Flames also still have to sign fellow RFAs Brett Kulak and Tyler Wotherspoon.

Johnny Gaudreau said it would be "sweet" to play for the Philadelphia Flyers someday.

Gaudreau grew up a Flyers fan. "I’ve got a ton of family here, all my friends — I actually have a wedding this week here in South Jersey," Gaudreau said. "All my friends come back here, all my good friends, and kids that I’ve played with my whole life are from South Jersey. So, it would be sweet to play here some day. You know you never know in sports, but it’s a lot of support back here in South Jersey and the Philly area." We'll see what the future holds for Gaudreau, but he's made a long-term commitment to the Calgary Flames, so he won't be changing teams anytime soon. This will be the second season of his six-year, $40.5 million contract.

Matthew Tkachuk says the Flames need to get off to a better start next season.

"We all saw what Nashville did last year, you just have to go on a run," Tkachuk said. "Hopefully we can go on a run this year. You can't think about the playoffs already, but for us, we didn't have the start we wanted to last year, so this year we just need a better start. We were a little bit streaky last year, but this year if we play more consistently, we should have a good team and do well."

Micheal Ferland will begin the 2017-18 campaign with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau.

Ferland spent much of last season playing with those two so this isn't a big revelation, but it's still good information to have. He had 15 goals, 25 points, and 50 penalty minutes in 76 games last season. He recently agreed to a two-year, $3.5 million extension.

Hunter Shinkaruk scored on Friday with Stockton to bring to an end a 14 game goalless streak in the AHL.

Shinkaruk is trying to crack the Flames lineup but has been in the AHL most of the season and has eight goals and 21 points in 29 games. He has only one point this season in seven NHL games but his play in the AHL has actually been good despite the slump. "I’m not really too worried about my numbers," Shinkaruk said. "I feel like I’m having a pretty good season. Even though maybe I don’t have as many goals as I did last year, the points are still there. I feel like I’m playing well. I feel like our line, with Klimchuk and Jankowski, has been good and we have to continue to be good. I’m not really too worried about (the stats). I feel like I know how I’m playing and I kind of let that do the talking." Shinkaruk should get another chance this season but if not, he should get every opportunity to make the Flames in training camp come September.

He picked up his 13th goal of the season during Monday's 4-2 win over the Avalanche, giving him three goals over his last four games. Can never have too many well-playing forwards going into the playoffs.

Calgary assistant GM Craig Conroy can see Spencer Foo playing in the NHL next season.

"My expectation for him is to push and make the NHL club," Conroy said. "He's got speed, he's competitive, and he's got skill. The thing I like probably the most about Spencer is about how hard he competes. Does he start in the NHL? That'll be up to him. But I see him playing in the NHL next year. I expect that, and he probably expects that himself too." Foo feels like he can take advantage of his opportunity and claim a roster spot with the Flames. The team isn't deep at right wing, which could also work in his favor. The 23-year-old forward had 26 goals and 62 points in 38 games for Union College last campaign.

Curtis Lazar knows he has a lot of prove after agreeing to a bridge deal.

Lazar had just a goal and four points in 37 games in 2016-17. He started the season with the Ottawa Senators, who took him with the 17th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, but was dealt at the trade deadline to Calgary. "I have a lot to prove to people and also myself," said Lazar. "With Brad having that confidence and trust in me and the commitment to put this deal in place, I want nothing more to go on the ice and showcase my skills and help the guys to a successful season. It’s safe to say there’s a little more jump in my step this morning, knowing this deal was done. I’m chomping at the bit to roll into training camp."

Garnet Hathaway wants to play for Calgary on a full-time basis this season.

Hathaway split the 2016-17 campaign between Stockton of the AHL and the Flames. He picked up 20 points and 67 penalty minutes in 31 matches with the Heat along with five points and 44 penalty minutes in 26 appearances with Calgary. "I guess you could say there was a sense of accomplishment last year … but more encouragement, really," he said. "It's a lot different than the AHL, the minor leagues, and it was exciting for me. I gained a lot of confidence. I mean, it's the best league in the world. To play with those guys and not seem out of place, to know you have the caliber to play there, is huge." Hathaway has a chance to land a spot on the fourth line out of training camp.

The Calgary Flames have announced that forward Emile Poirier has been sent back down to the American Hockey League.

Poirier was recalled for a total of four games, dressing for only two of them. He had zero points and a minus-1 rating in those two contests. The former first round pick is currently sitting at one point in eight career NHL games.

The other nominees were Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, golfer Ernie Els, and the New York Mets' Curtis Granderson. "I am so incredibly honoured to receive this award," Giordano said. "To be mentioned in the same sentence as Muhammad Ali is something I could never imagine. Mr. Ali was more than just an athlete. He was a global icon that led numerous humanitarian efforts to better the lives of thousands around the world. I would like to thank the Ali family and ESPN along with congratulating all nominees for their community efforts." The award will provide him with a $100,000 grant for Team Giordano, which children across four high-need schools in Calgary. Since 2014 Team Giordano has donated $300,000 in funding, which has helped 1,900 kids. He also was given the NHL Foundation Player Award in 2016.

Dougie Hamilton feels being paired with Mark Giordano was a sizable factor in his success this season.

Hamilton got off to a rough start in 2016-17 as he had six points and was already minus-nine in 16 games through Nov. 12. After that, the decision was made to pair Hamilton with Giordano and from there Hamilton had 44 points and a plus-21 rating in 65 contests. "It was definitely a big change from where I started the season. I think I was playing with a bunch of different partners, third-pairings and that kind of thing," Hamilton said. "I had a bad stretch of games with a lot of minuses. (Gulutzan) put me with Gio and it kind of turned my season around. I tried to make the most of it and take the opportunity." Hamilton thinks very highly of Giordano and said that he looks up to him. Given their success together in 2016-17, it wouldn't be surprising to see them paired up again next season.

T.J. Brodie has recorded at least a point in each of Calgary's first three playoff games.

Brodie registered two assists in Calgary's 5-4 overtime loss on Monday. Unfortunately for Brodie and the Flames, his efforts haven't saved the team as they've still found themselves behind 3-0 in their series against Anaheim.

Hamonic was acquired from the Islanders at the NHL Draft and he will add some sandpaper to Calgary's top-four group. "I think that's just the way I grew up playing the game – you've got to do what you've got to do," he said. "If you ask players, they'll say I'm someone to who wears his heart on his sleeve and invests a lot in the game."

Michael Stone has signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract extension with the Calgary Flames.

Stone could have become an unrestricted free agent on Saturday. Stone had three goals and 15 points in 64 games between Arizona and Calgary in 2016-17. With Stone locked up, the Flames have an impressive group of blueliners that also includes Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie, Dougie Hamilton and Travis Hamonic.

Matt Bartkowski's first goal in a Calgary uniform was a big one as it sent the game into overtime.

Bartkowski's goal tied the game with St. Louis at 2. The Flames eventually won it in overtime on Sean Monahan's goal but the move to ink Bartkowski to a two-way deal in mid-February paid dividends on Saturday. Bartkowski has little fantasy value but he had some on Saturday. He has only a goal and two points in 17 games this season.

Calgary coach Glen Gulutzan is glad to have Mike Smith between the pipes for the Flames.

Gulutzan joked that he would still have his job coaching Dallas if it weren't for Smith and the Coyotes. "That was the one team that we were battling with tooth-and-nail down to the wire (during the 2011-12 season) and he was just a brick wall," said Gulutzan. "So when I talked to him, I told him, 'I'd still be in Dallas if it wasn't for you.'" He is excited to have a goaltender who can steal games.

The Carolina Hurricanes' willingness to retain half of Eddie Lack's remaining salary was a major factor in shipping him to Calgary.

The Flames acquired Lack, Ryan Murphy, and a seventh-round pick in 2019 in exchange for Keegan Kanzig and a sixth-round pick in 2019. Lack comes with a $2.75 million cap hit in 2017-18 before he's eligible to become a UFA, but the Flames will only be charged for $1.375 million of that. "I think it’s a big part of it," Flames GM Brad Treliving said of the reduced cap burden. "From an economic standpoint and a salary cap standpoint, that made it work. He comes in at a very manageable number, and that was certainly a big part of this equation." Lack will enter the season as Mike Smith's backup goaltender.